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Sports turf management puts Lachlan a cut above the rest
When Lachlan Roache left school, he never thought his passion for playing cricket would lead to him curating playing surfaces for some of Queensland’s most significant sporting events.
“Cricket relies heavily on wicket preparation, and my interest deepened as I played semi-professionally in the United Kingdom, assisting with turf and wicket-making, which gave me an appreciation for the craft,” explained Lachlan.
Returning to Brisbane, Lachlan volunteered at Coorparoo Cricket Club before starting an apprenticeship at Brisbane Metro Touch, maintaining grounds and studying a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management (AHC31319), bringing him to TAFE Queensland’s Grovely campus.
During his block training, Lachlan learnt foundation skills in health and safety, establishment and maintenance, irrigation systems, and how to use machinery specific to sports grounds.
Grovely’s campus facilities, which included golf greens, cricket pitches, turf plots, and learning resources, also helped Lachlan.
“The facilities were excellent, and practising how to mow different surfaces and learn about chemical handling and application all in one location was invaluable. The library was also fantastic and has rare turf management books that help pass assignments, " Lachlan continued.
After joining the grounds staff at Stadiums Queensland and working at The Gabba, Lachlan enrolled to study the Diploma of Sports Turf Management (AHC51019), helping him to better manage and maintain The Gabba’s playing surface for AFL in winter and cricket in summer.
His diploma studies gave him a high-level knowledge of the different grasses, soils, and preparation techniques used to prepare sporting grounds surfaces for various sporting codes.
“The Gabba is home to the Brisbane Lions AFL team, Brisbane Heat and Queensland Cricket teams, and I can confidently use my skills to support the team in preparing the playing surface at the professional level,” he explained.
Lachlan’s teachers encouraged him to apply for the 2023 Sports Turf Association of Queensland Graduate of the Year, which he won, making him a finalist for the national award.
“TAFE Queensland’s teachers are exceptional; the resources make learning valuable. They supported me with great advice and industry knowledge,” he said.
“They guided my award entry, and winning in Queensland made me a national finalist at the 2023 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference in Adelaide.”
Lachlan attended industry talks, visited trade exhibits and toured Adelaide’s top sporting venues, enhancing his skills.
He presented his turf management experience and career goals to a panel of judges, which led him to win the National Turf Industry Award 2023, with his commitment to maintaining The Gabba’s world-class standards being recognised.
The prestigious award wins at both the state and national levels result from Lachlan’s hard work and dedication, with his national award prize taking him to the United States.
While there, he participated in a week-long conference and toured The Toro Company’s machinery distribution centre to see firsthand how the turf maintenance equipment he uses daily is made.
He also visited iconic stadiums like Dodger Stadium and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and seeing their construction and how their playing surfaces were managed fuelled his interest in how sports venues operate and are maintained.
“I was honoured to win state and national awards, and I’m so proud to work at The Gabba - I truly love what I do there. Winning these awards gave me more exposure to the industry, leading to new and exciting opportunities,” continued Lachlan.
“Without my diploma studies and my teachers' guidance, I wouldn’t have won at the National Turf Industry Awards, and winning this has helped me immensely.”
“I’m learning new things daily, and most importantly, I’m using my skills to create and maintain beautiful AFL and cricket surfaces.”
After completing the turf management diploma, Lachlan aspires to use his skills interstate or overseas, learn more about the industry and bring fresh ideas and skills back to Brisbane.
“In five to ten years, I’ll hopefully have enough skills, knowledge and experience to be Head Curator at The Gabba,” concluded Lachlan.